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CROWD:
I’m not sure if ABIR was the official anti-chocolate band, but I guess you could say that if ya playing J’Ouvert and not in Chocolate, ya in ABIR.  The different price options meant that they pulled even the casual reveller and just as the colours of the rainbow represent a mix, diversity was evident in the crowd for this band. Ya could tell the band was not just a bunch of Trini's in London, as you could hear the various accents, still so strong ya knew they weren’t diluted by years away from their homeland.  Ya also saw faces that ya doh usually see in the London party circuit, which for some meant new eye candy. Sadly, it was not all positive as the band was sometimes peppered with random people floating in and out. It did not cause too much problems but did put a damper on the relaxed and free going atmosphere at times, especially as things got truly busy at certain points on the route.

VENUE/ACCESSIBILITY:
The meeting point was just up the road from Latimer Road tube station, pretty much where all other bands met up and ended as well.  So in terms of venue you can’t lose points by going with the safe option.  Latimer Road is one of the few stations not closed for the weekend, and sufficiently far enough from the main route so that going home did not mean dealing with huge crowds. Some credit is also due to the band for being on the route relatively early. I think this helped stragglers to find the band easily and also meant that the band was not in the thick of things when the crowds descended.

VIBES:
The vibes in the crowd was wonderful.  After all the early comers had their breakfast and the truck pulled off, you could sense the anticipation of the revellers. What was a slow chip down the road in the morning sun at first, soon became hysteria and general giddiness as soon as the paint bottles were handed out and the alcohol started flowing. The ages within the crowd were very varied but the mindset very similar, in that they were all seeking a good time and therefore young at heart.  Everyone looked like rebel school children decorating their white t-shirts and vests in the colours of the rainbow. Most importantly the music truck was doing its job to perfection. I was as if the were tuned to the rhythm and desires of the crowd rather than directing them. The tempo was increased as the crowd got more fired up and slowed down as ppl chipped along while eating their lunch. The organiser and DJs definitely win in this category, and many would agree.

SERVICE:
Breakfast and Lunch were provided for the All Inclusive patrons and I doh think there were any complaints.  The major thing lacking was snacks, or more precisely, variety in the snacks. After the rotis for lunch went down so well, some people wanted a little nibble mid afternoon, but not everyone wanted cookies and crackers. Not to fear though, the drinks made up for everything. Nothing ran out (unless ya came to the bar after the music shut off and ya was still looking for rum). On the road, everybody was knocking back to their heart’s (but probably not their liver’s) content.  And to make up for any lack of variety on the snacks side, the drinks range was wide and extensive, although not many band members seemed to care. From early in the morning till late at night the call was for RUM. And not just any rum, 10 CANE rum!! Rum and Coke, Rum and Sprite, Rum and Juice, Rum and Ice, Rum and Coconut Water, Rum and Soda, Rum and Ginger Ale… it was definitely the order of the day. But for those that had a particular palette or jus wanted to be different, the bar also had vodka, brandy, scotch ... and not just supermarket stuff, but Belvedere and Courvoisier.

COST/VALUE:
Revellers had two choices starting @ £25, and for £20 more .... breakfast, lunch and alcohol was yours! I think the split prices was really the kicker for value.  There is a term in economics for it, but I cyah remember it right now.  Each type of mas player got value for their money.  I even over heard some girl say she left her white vest home on the day because it was too pretty to get paint on it.  Almost everyone drank and ate way more than their £45 fee so on a real, I doh think there could be any complaints.

The overall rating is not a simple aggregation of the factors discussed above, but rather a general view in hopes of inspiring the organiser to push on and do even better next year. One recommendation would be to beef up the security, especially as the band will only become bigger next year, based on the success of this year.

- 2009 Abir Reveller

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>> View Abir 2009 Gallery
>> View Notting Hill Carnival 2009 Coverage